What do you think of Prince's song "Free" being used as the anthem of the Iraq war?

honestly, i think it would be unbelievably patronising.

TheFrog said:

explain why u think that...if u would

well, just check the lyrics. "be glad that you are free; free to change your mind; free to go most anywhere, any time".

it's a terribly naive lyric as it is (ignoring the Iraq war). Used in the context of the Iraq war and how debatable the ethics of the invasion were, then regardless of which side of the fence you're on, it's patronising to say "well you may have problems, but look what we've brought you: freedom!" it suggests that Iraqis should shut the fuck up complaining and be joyous for the benefits the invasion has given them.

one may believe that, in general, the removal of saddam has been a wonderful thing. but there have been many arguments, many deaths and many hearts broken along the way, and this lyric is patronising as a result.

TheFrog said:

well...I was thinking of the song as more of something for Americans to listen to and understand...to say "Hey look at the Iraqi's..Americans stop taking your freedom for granted. Look at the Iraqi's, they're far worse than us so be glad u r free." Moreso as a wakeup call for Americans not for the Iraqi's

it's interesting to use it in that way, but maybe Iraq isn't the best example because the coalition has supposedly just given them freedom!

let's talk about Burma and places like that instead, maybe. i've always felt the lyric to be hackneyed & naive though. very pretty little song, but as a maxim - i don't know.

Free, the song, would be an interesting choice...

I don't think it fits though...

In America, our privacy and peace of mind has been sacrificed in order for George Bush to ensure that his friends (both at home and in the Middle East) are taken care of financially.

it's got my vote because it's torture for me to listen to.

With a bit of updating, Sinead O'Connor's "Black Boys On Mopeds" could be the anthem for this war.

"George Dubya Bush on TV
Shocked by the deaths that take place in Baghdad
It does seem strange that he would be offended
Much the same orders are given by him"

How fuckin cheesy can you get? Sometimes I'm ashamed to be a Prince fan amongst such cheesy company.

mrdespues said: